Norman Carter was born on the 11th of May, 1899 to Lewis and Eliza Carter (previously Stoney). Norman, along with his sister May Carter, spent their youth living at Slant Gate, Kirkburton according to the 1911 census. Norman came from an especially gifted family, his grandfather was a blacksmith, his father was a weaver and May was interested in sewing and tailoring.

However, Norman took a different path entirely, joining the R.M.L.I. in the Autumn of 1915 according to the Sheffield Daily Telegraph. Having recharged in his hometown on leave, Private Norman Carter, aged just 18 was appointed to the Laurentic. Unfortunately, following the tragic sinking of the ship, Norman’s body was never recovered for burial and no trace of his fate ever showed up. He is commemorated alongside 18,653 other lost members of the Royal Navy on the Chatham Naval memorial. Additionally, a cenotaph was erected in honour of him in the All Hallows Churchyard, Kirkburton, his home.